It was a close one for the Redmen, but the Rocks squeaked by with a 1-0 win in a shootout after a 3-3 tie in regulation. Salem set a brutal pace for much of the game and proved a worthy opponent for the dominant Redmen team.
The Redmen got out to a quick start, charging into the game against an aggressive Salem team. The first period proved evenly matched and remained scoreless until late.
Play was far from boring, however. The Redmen really gave fans something to cheer about as Marquette became the first to strike for a 1-0 lead just before the buzzer. Brent Kroll set up the goal perfectly, allowing Tanner Phillips to find the back of the net.
The second period started similarly to how the first period ended. A Sean O’Connor goal, with assistance from Gaetanno Cammarata, quickly improved the Redmen to 2-0 over the Rocks.
Salem answered in short order with a power play goal for a score of 2-1. Less than 30 seconds later the Rocks scored again with an even-strength goal to tie it up at 2-2.
Marquette answered in due time. Brent Kroll stole the puck and set it up again, this time for Hogan Nemetz who buried the puck for a score of 3-2.
Salem did not have an immediate answer, so the Redmen again ended the period with the lead.
A tense first half of the final period gave way to another Salem goal to tie up the game at 3-3. A dominant Salem team kept the pressure on the Redmen for the remainder of the period.
A late power play for the Redmen seemed promising, but ended with no goal. The tie remained at the end of regulation play. The shootout certainly added to the drama of this exciting game.
Salem found the back of the net with their first attempt. They missed the next two, but the Redmen failed to make their first three attempts.
The Redmen will be back in action Friday, February 8th against Davison High School on the second day of the Michigan Public High School Showcase on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1-99.9. Tune in for the pregame show at 1:45 pm, the puck drops at 2:15 pm.
Listen to a recording of the live broadcast.
Photos by Amy Luke.
